Featured Creator: Chip Swann

Chip Swann passed away in January of this year. His wife, Mary Swann (who has been featured as a creator as well), has shared some of his creative works with us as well as messages from both herself and her late husband.

But first, some info on Chip's creative pursuits:

• He was a carpenter and used to make furniture and wooden bowls.

• Chip was good at drawing and painting.

• He developed his talents as a kid.

• Chip found it challenging to pursue his creative works in his later years due to essential tremors.

• To break a creative block, Chip would have a rum and Coke.

• His favorite creation was a china cabinet he made for his mother.

• He also enjoyed painting on wood.

• Chip wanted to try his hand at watercolors but could not due to the tremors.

Mary was kind enough to share some images of Chip's amazing talent with us. These items adorn their Fairfield Harbour home.

A Message from Mary

To my Fairfield Harbour neighbors, Book Club and Pickleball Club

My husband struggled with a return of his cancer soon after we moved here when he had retired. He died on January 15 this year. Through all of it and even at the end with Hospice you were all so kind and supportive. You sent cards, you prayed, you kept in touch, and you offered help. At the end, you sent food, wine, more prayers, and walked my dogs, and you checked up on me to make sure I was okay. I don’t know if I could have done it without all your support.

At the ceremony of life I could see you as my new family who are still offering me support, friendship, and help. I am so grateful to live in this community with all of you who are so kind. Words cannot express my gratitude. I feel so blessed to live here, even though there are people who are so unhappy with this place, but I for one see a beautiful group of people who are blessed, and you know who you are!

My husband assured my family that I would be just fine because of ALL of you. And they saw that too when they were able to meet some of you at the Celebration of Life.

Love you all,

Mary Swann

Bucco Reef Rd

Chip's Legacy

How I’ve lived my life:  as a hard-working honest person which I learned from my father and grandfather growing up in the hardware business in Blackstone Virginia.

My earliest ambition was to be an airline pilot but that never came to be but I did obtain my pilot's license at the age of 19.

Things that make me laugh have been my five golden retrievers I have owned throughout my life. And the music of Jimmy Buffett.

My proudest family moments were attending my adoptive mom and dad's 50th wedding anniversary.  I was adopted at birth and I located my birth Mom, Bettie Stowe West, 22 years ago in 2002.  We have built a great relationship and I gained two ½ brothers, Ed and Bob West, and a ½ sister, Nancy Goff.  My adoptive parents had a natural child, my sister Sarah, and an adopted child, my sister Martha.  

My proudest career accomplishments were owning my own construction company at the age of 24 in Richmond, VA. After 10 years, I sold my half to my partner.  I moved to Fort Myers, Florida, in my 40s and started my own construction company there.  That completed my career.

I hope others have learned from me to work hard, be honest with everyone, and be fair and kind.

Pilots license at 19, Coast Guard Captains license at 28, Virginia State Contractors license at 23, Florida certified Builders Contractor’s license  , Remodeling Magazine award for being one of the top 500 contractors in the US for volume, won several times.  PGT Gold star dealer for sales.  Participated and donated funds for the Head and Neck Cancer Walk for several years in Florida. 

Hobbies were scuba diving, snow skiing, fishing, sailing, and boating.

Favorite songs: Bubbles Up and Pirate Looks at 40 by Jimmy Buffett  Southern Cross Crosby Stills Nash and Young

My wife Mary and my Five Golden retrievers I have owned.  

I’d like to be remembered 

I know leaving this world I have touched several people’s lives that has brought prosperity to them and changed their lives.  There is nothing better than knowing you have helped someone to have a better life.

I also want my good friends to know how much I have enjoyed our time and life together, and also all the good people I have met in Fairfield Harbor and New Bern since I moved here.